COLUMBUS, OHIO (Jan. 10, 2018) – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) today issued an entry seeking comments regarding the impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 on the rates of regulated public utilities. Comments are due Feb. 15, 2018.

“While it’s too early to know how consumer bills may be affected, it is important for the PUCO to fully understand federal tax code changes and the impact it will have on Ohio’s utilities and consumers,” stated PUCO Chairman Asim Z. Haque.

Specifically, the Commission is asking stakeholders to identify the components of utility rates that the Commission will need to reconcile with the modifications to the federal tax code, and how the Commission should do so. Comments should address the level of tax expense recovered through base distribution rates, the treatment of individual bill components, and deferred tax assets.

In separate business, the Commission approved an economic development arrangement between Amazon subsidiary Vadata, Inc. and AEP Ohio. The arrangement will provide Vadata a discount for its data centers operating in the AEP Ohio service territory over the next 10 years.

“This arrangement recognizes the unique electric load profile of data centers and could represent a new era of economic development in Ohio,” stated PUCO Chairman Asim Z. Haque. “It is important to note that consumer bills will not increase as a result of the Commission’s approval today.”

Copies of today’s decisions are available on the PUCO website www.PUCO.ohio.gov. Click on the link to Docketing Information System and enter the case number in the search box.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is the sole agency charged with regulating public utility service. The role of the PUCO is to assure all residential, business and industrial consumers have access to adequate, safe and reliable utility services at fair prices while facilitating an environment that provides competitive choices. Consumers with utility-related questions or concerns can call the PUCO Call Center at (800) 686-PUCO (7826) and speak with a representative.